Direct and Volatile Potential Applications of Essential Oils for Post-Harvest Fungi Control.

Around one third of food production is lost globally, significantly impacting food security, primarily due to post-harvest deterioration from phytopathogenic fungi. This study aimed to assess the antifungal properties of essential oils (EOs) from Syzygium aromaticum, Origanum vulgare L., Cymbopogon martini, Cymbopogon citratus, Mentha spicata, and Mentha piperita against three fungi affecting tropical fruits: Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Alternaria alternata, and Fusarium solani.

Pelvic floor muscle training with feedback or biofeedback for urinary incontinence in women.

Background: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), compared to no treatment, is effective for treating urinary incontinence (UI) in women. Feedback and biofeedback are additional resources that give women more information about their pelvic floor muscle contraction. The extra information could improve training performance by increasing capability or motivation for PFMT.

Silicon amendment to the crop increases the potential of Aphidius platensis to control the invasive pest aphid Melanaphis sorghi.

Background: The efficacy of integrated pest management programs can be affected by interactions between different pest control methods. Silicon (Si) amendments increase plant resistance to phytophagous insects; however, such amendments may also affect higher-trophic level species, causing either negative or positive impacts on the biological control of pests in treated crops. To evaluate the effect of Si amendment on the potential for control of the pest aphid Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald) by the parasitoid Aphidius platensis (Bréthes), the key biological parameters and the fertility life tables of both species were assessed in the laboratory at both 23 ± 1 °C and 29 ± 1 °C without Si application and in a greenhouse trial, with the insects reared on plants grown in soil with and without the application of Si (800 kg of Si per hectare).

Effect of 12-week dietary nitrate supplementation on carotid arterial stiffness in postmenopausal females.

Menopause is associated with reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, a key contributor to increased arterial stiffness and, consequently, greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality in postmenopausal females. Even though dietary nitrate has been shown to increase NO bioavailability in postmenopausal females acutely, previous studies showed no impact of dietary nitrate supplementation on arterial stiffness in postmenopausal females. Their findings were likely limited by the acute and/or short-term design.

Optimal Mating Combination for Directed Breeding in a Racially Composite Cattle Population.

Evaluating optimal mating combinations in large populations poses significant combinatorial and computational challenges. To address this, we propose a method to optimise mating combinations in composite cattle populations, incorporating heterosis and genetic variability. Leveraging integer linear programming, our approach maximises expected offspring merit, outperforming random mating systems.

Intestinal polyps and chronic schistosomiasis.

Intestinal polyps have been described in association with chronic schistosomiasis, and must be differentiated from malignant tumors and appropriately managed. This uncommon condition may be very rarely detected in people from non-endemic areas of this zoonosis, who were occasionally infected during some travel period. The lesions are more frequently described in men, and predominating in the colon.

First report of the emerging pathogenic yeast in commercially relevant fish from southeastern Brazil.

The emerging fungal pathogen () has been increasingly detected in environmental and animal samples, although studies in this regard are still scarce, especially in fisheries contexts. This study reports the first-time detection of in a commercially relevant fish species belonging to the Sciaenidae family ( sp.), indicating its potential emergence as a pathogen in Brazil.

There and turn back again: the application of phage serine integrases in eukaryotic systems.

Serine integrases (Ints) have gained prominence and have been extensively used in Synthetic Biology due to their ability to modify DNA sequences. Ints are recombinases encoded by the phage genome and have been used to unidirectionally catalyze an insertion, excision, or inversion of a specific DNA sequence between the two attachment sites () (bacterial attachment site) and (phage attachment site). The entire process is highly specific and accurate; therefore, Ints are widely used in genetic engineering and have been extensively studied due to their unique site-specific recombination properties and potential genome editing applications.

Progression in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Diseases: Prevalence and Indicators in the Initial Evaluation in a Brazilian Multicentric Cohort.

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of progression in fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the findings at diagnosis most associated with progression after two years of follow-up in a large Brazilian cohort.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter observational study in Brazil. Progression was defined after two years of follow-up.

Vaccination versus antimicrobials to prevent Porcine Proliferative Enteropathy: associated costs and effects on piglets' growth, health, and serological performance.

Introduction: This study evaluated vaccination and prophylactic use of antimicrobials as strategies to prevent Porcine Proliferative Enteropathy (PPE) during nursery and growth-finishing phases.

Methods: Three hundred weaned piglets (~ 29 days old) were distributed into groups: NVMED - no vaccinated against but in-feed medicated with antimicrobials (amoxicillin, florfenicol, lincomycin, spectinomycin and tilmicosin); VMED - vaccinated and in-feed medicated; VNMED - vaccinated but no in-feed medicated. Piglets were vaccinated at weaning (Porcilis Ileitis, MSD Animal Health).

Somatic mutations in Brazilian patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a comprehensive analysis.

Background: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare clonal hematopoietic stem cell disease characterized by acquired abnormalities in the phosphatidylinositol glycan class A () gene.

Methods: This study analyzed gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Sanger sequencing of 31 Brazilian patients with PNH, including 23 with classical PNH and 8 with subclinical PNH (aplastic anemia and a PNH clone).

Results: A diverse spectrum of acquired variants was identified, encompassing insertions, deletions, and single-base substitutions.

Characterization of Immunoglobulin Heavy Locus Rearrangements in Molecular Subtypes of Childhood B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Biased VDJ recombination has been previously described in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), although its causes are not yet fully understood. This study assesses differential features in 565 clonotypes from BCP-ALL molecular subsets against 560 clonotypes from bone marrow donors. Leukemia clonotypes were enriched for segments in the KMT2A rearranged and B-other subtypes, while was enriched in TCF3::PBX1.

Revisiting the druggable genome using predicted structures and data mining.

Identification of novel drug targets is a key component of modern drug discovery. While antimalarial targets are often identified through the mechanism of action studies on phenotypically derived inhibitors, this method tends to be time- and resource-consuming. The discoverable target space is also constrained by existing compound libraries and phenotypic assay conditions.

Antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of alpha-silver tungstate nanoparticles.

The growing global threat posed by microorganisms resistant to conventional antimicrobials underscores the urgent need for novel agents to control infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of alpha-silver tungstate (α-AgWO) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by the ultrasonic method. The NPs were characterized, and their antimicrobial activity was assessed against , , and using the broth microdilution method, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC).

The social burden of antimicrobial resistance: what is it, how can we measure it, and why does it matter?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, which is increasingly quantified in terms of its human health and economic burden. In this article, we highlight that for policy and planning purposes the social burden of AMR is as important to attend to as health and economic burdens, requiring systematic consideration and measurement of multiple dimensions. We provide a conceptual and empirical overview of four dimensions of the social burden of AMR: the distribution of AMR among and between populations; the lived experiences of AMR by patients and carers; how and by whom AMR interventions are shouldered; and how AMR can change society.

Leveraging machine learning on the role of hospitalizations in the dynamics of dengue spread in Brazil: an ecological study of health systems resilience.

Background: The alarming rise in dengue cases and fatalities worldwide necessitates an in-depth analysis of essential public health functions (EPHFs) to fortify the resilience of health systems in the face of upcoming surges. This study focuses on the resilience of Brazil's health system in managing dengue from 2010 to 2024, leveraging machine learning techniques to correlate EPHF variables with dengue outcomes.

Methods: Utilizing public data from DATASUS and IBGE, we evaluated indicators such as healthcare workforce, health facilities, and dengue-specific data.

Raman spectroscopy for forensic pen ink investigation: a review.

The performance of Raman spectroscopy (RS) has improved in recent years due to the significant advantages of its use in various fields, such as archaeology, medicine, foods, and forensics. An aspect of great relevance in forensic investigation is preserving criminal evidence, and nondestructive techniques for analysis are needed. RS has great potential for characterizing pen inks in questioned documents, and it has even been considered promising for trace intersection and dating investigations.

Effect of Subcutaneous Injection of Tranexamic Acid on Ecchymosis and Edema after Oculofacial Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Split-Face, Double-Blind Study.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic that is regularly used to reduce bleeding in surgical specialties.

Objectives: To assess the effects of subcutaneous TXA in oculofacial plastic surgeries, with the hypothesis that TXA reduces postoperative ecchymosis and edema.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, split-face study.

Custom-Made Mouthguard: Personalized Solution for Injury Prevention Secondary to Bruxism During Physical Activity.

The natural dynamics of the jaw during physical activity and its physiological mechanisms are not fully understood. However, teeth clenching during certain sports activities may be associated with increased strength, power, flexibility, and performance. This behavior is termed awake bruxism (AB) and can lead to intraoral damage, highlighting the importance of patient education and management.

Surgical management and long-term follow-up of ocular hypotony associated with peripheral circumferential retinal detachment.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the surgical management and long-term follow-up of hypotony related to post-vitrectomy peripheral circumferential retinal detachment (PCD).

Methods: Eyes diagnosed with hypotony secondary to PCD after pars plana vitrectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The patient demographic data, complications, management, and treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Individualized PEEP can improve both pulmonary hemodynamics and lung function in acute lung injury.

Rationale: There are several approaches to select the optimal positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), resulting in different PEEP levels. The impact of different PEEP settings may extend beyond respiratory mechanics, affecting pulmonary hemodynamics.

Objectives: To compare PEEP levels obtained with three titration strategies-(i) highest respiratory system compliance (C), (ii) electrical impedance tomography (EIT) crossing point; (iii) positive end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure (P)-in terms of regional respiratory mechanics and pulmonary hemodynamics.

Fungal Infections Associated With TNF-Inhibitors: A 20-Year of a Systematic Review Fungal Infections and TNF-Inhibitors.

TNF-α inhibitors, including infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept, are used to treat various inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. However, these treatments may predispose patients to fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, candidiasis and aspergillosis. In this study, we systematically reviewed case reports to critically examine the correlations between anti-TNF-α therapies and the occurrence of invasive and superficial fungal infections.